This photo taken by Mike "gb-packards" was found at
www.flickr.com by the
Webmaster while looking for ideas to launch the Superheater Tube Pair donation campaign.
The photo was originally featured on the web site front page Jan-Feb, 2014. Maybe a little
too much liberty was taken by painting in some tracks and a light at the end of the tunnel
in our original presentation, so here the picture is restored to its original, pure and
un-adulterated glory. The Webmaster encourages you to follow the link above or under the
picture and take a look at this Artist's other fabulous works which often include historical
railroad subjects.

2014 promises to be an exciting year of progress for AT&SF 2926. As reported earlier, Pres. Hartshorne
and CMO Kirby laid down the challenge to our Team and Supporters:
"Let's finish the Locomotive restoration by June 2015 and commence a year of running trials in preparation
for a possible first excursion in late summer 2016."
So, you've been watching the Restoration Team working hard to make that happen!

Out in the yard, the "grunts" have been finishing up the locomotive brakes and have made serious progress towards
repairing hundreds of stay-bolt sleeves and caps. More & more of the engine's exterior plumbing, pumps and
various fixtures are being completed and permanently bolted on every week. The new seats are in and the
locomotive's new brake shoes will be ordered soon. GCRW will likely return the refurbished cross-heads any
week now, making it possible to finish installing the main pistons, drive rod gear and Walschaerts gear.

Meanwhile, back in our Reefer-Office, the Plots & Plans Committee has been working hard on soliciting &
selecting a bid for a new engine house which will be constructed on-site soon to keep the locomotive out of the
weather and protected from harm's way. Plots & Plans is also way ahead of the game in terms of navigating the
way forward with respect to planning the running trials & route(s), final certification and transition to
operations.

Yes, there is a lot going on - but we still need YOUR help to keep up this fast pace and get across the
finish line! The flue tube installation, followed by the superheater tubes, has to be just about the last things
finished - because FRA regulations state that the "limited 15-year life" clock starts ticking once the first
tube gets welded-in. Please consider making a special contribution today and
"buy" a Superheater tube (or two) today to help us fund
this effort!